asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if it is intended to introduce a rapid transport system in Dublin.
28.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rapid Transport System.
13.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the action, if any, he has taken or intends to take in light of the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 7 December 1988, which called on the Government to examine ways and means of building, as soon as practicable, a rapid rail link from Tallaght, Dublin 24 to the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the plans to introduce a tram system in Manchester; if, in view of the severe traffic problems in Dublin, he will consider undertaking a feasibility study of the reintroduction of a tram system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
40.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the projects which are included in the plans to upgrade the urban rail network in Dublin and if he will make a statement on the likely timing of these various projects.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 28, 38 and 40 together.
Following the Government decision in 1987 that no further consideration should be given to extending the DART system, because of the high costs of such development and the state of the public finances, CIE were instructed to prepare transport investment plans for the Dublin area involving only bus-based options or diesel services on existing rail lines. These plans were received in August 1988. They provided for improvements to the Maynooth-City rail services, a new rail service between Clondalkin and the city, new services on a number of peripheral bus routes, local minibus services in certain suburbs, the satellite towns and some city areas and limited-stop services to the city on certain longer journeys.
The rail proposals for Dublin West embrace feeder bus services in the rail catchment areas affected. Tallaght would be in the catchment area for a feeder bus service to Clondalkin.
The proposals for rail developments, which would cost about £28 million have been included in the National Development Plan 1989-1993 for assistance from EC Structural Funds. Pending the outcome of that appication it is not possible to speak in terms of the timing of these projects. The local link bus service in the Tallaght area has already been extended and Tallaght is included on the routes of the proposed new peripheral bus services, which Bus Átha Cliath expect to introduce next year. In addition, the bus services between Tallaght and the city centre were improved late last year.
There is, of course, a need to study transportation policy for the longer term and in that connection the framing of proposals will no doubt take account of recent developments elsewhere in the field of tram systems.
Is the Minister aware that a recent study showed that Dublin is one of the most traffic snarled cities in Europe? Would he agree that a light rail or tram system, such as is now being introduced in Manchester, might be reconsidered in view of the pollution which the city has experienced since 1987? The light rail or tram system would be more environmentally friendly and circumstances have changed since the Government directive was given to CIE.
The light rail suggestions are interesting and I should like to study them very carefully, perhaps then coming back to the House. The existing solutions relate to bus or diesel based options. If it can be shown that the light rail option would be a better solution, I am not wedded to the existing strategy.
The time available for Priority Questions is exhausted.
Would the Minister agree that a light rail or tram system would be preferable to motorways through such areas as the Liberties and that, given the pollution problems, his Department should issue a policy directive that this whole area should be reexamined in detail?
I am not in a position to give such a policy directive just yet. I have an open mind about it and I am very interested in it. We have existing rail lines from Clondalkin and Maynooth and there are also the remains of rail lines in other parts of the city and county. We should first look at whether we can use those before we embark on any glamorous city wide projects. I have an open mind about it and I want to look very carefully at the kinds of solutions the Deputy is suggesting.
We must now deal with other questions.
I had a question down which the Minister dealt with. Although we have now passed the time for Priority Questions, may I put a supplementary?
We are now dealing with other questions. Deputy Rabbitte is seeking to ask a supplementary in connection with Question No. 13. Is that so?
The Minister also took Question No. 28.
I am sorry, Deputy. Supplementary questions in Priority Question Time are confined to Deputies who table the questions.
If I had been in order I would have asked the Minister about the disgraceful neglect of Tallaght.